Rivers impeachment notice yet to reach Governor Siminalayi Fubara three days after lawmakers began proceedings amid rising political tension
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, is yet to receive any formal impeachment notice from the Rivers State House of Assembly, three days after lawmakers commenced proceedings against him and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu.
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The development was confirmed in Port Harcourt on Monday, amid escalating political tension following the move by 27 lawmakers to initiate impeachment proceedings.
The majority lawmakers, loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, began the process last Thursday over allegations of misconduct.
Although the Speaker of the House, Martin Amaewhule, had said the impeachment notice would be delivered, a source at Government House said no official communication had been received.
The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Professor Ngozi Odu had not reviewed any notice from the Assembly.
The source added that the governor returned from an overseas trip on Sunday and attended the Armed Forces Remembrance Day church service.
He said Governor Fubara has since remained engaged with official duties, including inspections of ongoing projects across the state.
Meanwhile, cracks have emerged within the pro-impeachment camp as two lawmakers withdrew support for the process.
The Minority Leader of the House and member representing Omuma State Constituency, Sylvanus Nwankwo, urged his colleagues to suspend the impeachment move.
Nwankwo made the appeal on Monday during a press conference in Port Harcourt, calling for restraint and dialogue.
He said elders and leaders within and outside Rivers State had appealed for leniency and political calm.
Also speaking, the lawmaker representing Degema State Constituency, Peter Abbey, echoed the call for caution.
Abbey said a humane approach was required to prevent further escalation of the crisis.
He added that the governor also had a responsibility to avoid actions capable of deepening constitutional disputes.
The political tension intensified following the conclusion of Chief Nyesom Wike’s thank-you tour of local government areas in the state.
Wike ended the tour on Sunday and departed for Abuja, without visiting Opobo Nkoro Local Government Area, the home council of Governor Fubara.
No official reason was given for the omission, though political observers linked it to the ongoing crisis.
Amid the standoff, the Pan Niger Delta Elders Forum constituted a seven-member reconciliation committee to mediate in the Rivers crisis.
The committee is chaired by former Attorney-General of the Federation, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN).
PANDEF described the situation as disturbing and urged all parties to embrace dialogue and peace.
The forum warned that the impeachment proceedings posed risks to stability in Rivers State and the wider Niger Delta region.
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It called on stakeholders to prioritise governance, development, and the welfare of the people.
